Apparatus for Generating Water Electrolytic Gas

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an apparatus for generating a water electrolytic gas, wherein an electrolyte inlet is formed in the bottom of an electrolytic cell for generation of a water electrolytic gas, and an outlet is formed in the top thereof for the extraction of a mixture of an electrolyte and a generated gas. In the electrolytic cell, an anode and a cathode are provided, and an alkali electrolyte spinning and passing portion are arranged between these electrodes. With this arrangement, water electrolysis is performed, and a mixture of the electrolyte and a water electrolytic gas is extracted from the upper end of the electrolytic cell and transferred to a water electrolytic gas/electrolyte separation cell. A gas-liquid separation process extracts only the water electrolytic gas to the exterior, while the electrolyte is returned to the electrolytic cell by an electrolyte circulation device, to continue the performance of the electrolytic reaction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority of Japanese Patent Application 2007-336676, filed Dec. 27, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus that generates a water electrolytic gas, i.e., an apparatus that produces a large quantity of a water electrolytic gas in a potassium hydroxide electrolyte, and that separates and extracts from the electrolyte a water electrolytic gas.

2. Related Arts

It is well known that water (H₂O) is ionized in a basic potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, and that hydroxide ions OH⁻ and hydrogen ions H⁺ are thus generated. The hydroxide ions OH⁻ are also called anions, which are ions that move from a cathode (a negative electrode) to an anode (a positive electrode), while the hydrogen ions H⁺ are also called cations, which are ions that move from the anode (the positive electrode) to the cathode (the negative electrode). The hydrogen ions H⁺ are covalently bound with the water molecules H₂O that are present in the solution, and generate “oxonium ions (H₃O⁺)”. This indicates that in an environment wherein water and hydrogen ions coexist, i.e., in an electrolytic cell, most of the ions, due to covalent binding, are present as “oxonium ions H₃O⁺”.

The hydroxide ions OH⁻, which are anions, and the oxonium ions H₃O⁺, can be obtained by the electric decomposition of water using a basic electrolyte, i.e., through the electrolysis of water.

On the other hand, conventionally, many and varied types of water electrolytic gas generation apparatuses have been produced that generate a water electrolytic gas (hydrogen-oxygen gas) through water electrolysis, and employ this gas as a fuel. Since the first water electrolytic gas generation apparatus was developed by Austrian Yull Brown, this water electrolytic gas is also called Brown's gas. This water electrolytic gas is normally in the state of mist.

The present invention relates to an apparatus that efficiently generates a large amount of a water electrolytic gas.

A variety of arrangements for performing the electrolysis of water have been disclosed. An electrolyzed water generation apparatus disclosed in patent document 1 is designed so that an anode 13a is arranged in an anode chamber 13 of an electrolytic cell 11 and a cathode 14a is arranged in a cathode chamber 14 thereof, and a permeable membrane (an ion exchange membrane) 12, which serves as a partition, is interposed between the two electrode chambers. With this apparatus, the anode chamber 13 is employed as a chamber through which water flows, while the cathode chamber 14 is a retention chamber within which a sodium chloride solution or a hydrochloride solution is retained. With this arrangement, ions of the effective components contained in the solution that remains in the cathode chamber 14 pass through the permeable membrane 12 and react with the hydrogen ions of the water that flows into the anode chamber 13, and as a result, acidic electrolyzed water, used, for example, as sterilized water, is generated. Therefore, the purpose and arrangement of this patent document differ from those of the present invention.

A water electrolysis gas generation apparatus disclosed in patent document 2 is so designed that an ion exchange membrane 3 and a close contact material 4 are superimposed and mounted between two electrodes 2, i.e., an anode and a cathode, to perform electrolysis for a solution in an electrolytic cell. As a result of this electrolysis process, oxygen and hydrogen are respectively extracted, as gases, from an anode-side outlet 9a and a cathode-side outlet 9b. According to this arrangement, the material 4, which closely contacts the cathode side of the ion exchange membrane 3, is provided by applying gold, using sputtering, to the surface of a woven fabric or a mat, such as one composed of a carbon fiber or of nickel wool, and serves as an electrical conductor, and as a result, source gas can be efficiently generated. In this case, since the hydrogen and the oxygen gases are extracted completely separately, the purpose and arrangement of this patent document 2, as well as that of patent document 1, differ from the present invention.

Further, an apparatus that generates a hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture (Brown's gas) by performing water electrolysis is disclosed in patent documents 3 and 4. Since a high heat and strong combustion can be obtained by appropriately employing with a fuel a hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture generated by this apparatus, various arrangements are disclosed. However, the purpose and the arrangement employed for this patent document, as well as for the above described patent documents, differ from those of the present invention.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 2001-321770

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 11-209887

[Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 2002-155387

[Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 2004-204347

The purpose of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus that, to efficiently generate a large quantity of a water electrolytic gas, employs a water electrolysis technique for which a potassium hydroxide electrolyte is used, and that, to separate and extract a water electrolytic gas, performs gas-liquid separation relative to the electrolyte.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Object of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that efficiently and continuously generates a large amount of water electrolytic gas generated using the electrolysis of water as a combustion improver for considerably improving the combustion efficiency of a hydrocarbon fuel.

The present inventors devoted themselves to a study of an apparatus that can efficiently and continuously generate a large amount of water electrolytic gas, and completed the present invention.

Means for Solving the Problems

According to a first aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, an apparatus, for generating a water electrolytic gas, comprises:

an electrolytic cell 10, for generation of a water electrolytic gas, including

-   -   an electrolyte inlet 11 formed in a bottom wall,     -   an outlet 15, formed in a top wall to extract a mixture of an         electrolyte and a generated gas,     -   an anode plate 12, internally arranged near the bottom wall,     -   a cathode plate 13, internally arranged near a top wall, and     -   an electrolyte spinning and passing portion 14, for spinning and         passing an alkali electrolyte in a direction leading from the         anode plate to the cathode plate;

a separation cell 20, for an electrolyte/water electrolytic gas, in which gas-liquid separation is performed for the mixture that has been extracted from the outlet 15 in the upper end of the electrolytic cell 10 and that includes the electrolyte and a water electrolytic gas, and as a result, gas components comprising the water electrolytic gas are separated from the electrolyte, so that only the gas components are externally extracted, while an electrolyte component is retained, internally; and

an electrolyte circulation unit 40, for circulating, toward the electrolytic cell 10, the electrolyte that has been retained in the separation cell 20.

According to a second aspect of the invention, for the apparatus for generating a water electrolytic gas, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the electrolyte spinning and passing portion 14, which is located between the anode plate 12 and the cathode plate 13 in the electrolytic_cell 10, is formed of a predetermined number of metal plates 14-1 to 14-n, in each of which two to six electrolyte passage openings 18 are formed along the outer circumference, with point symmetry from the center. And the metal plates are arranged by sequentially displacing the electrolyte passage openings at a predetermined angle, so that the electrolyte is passed through the metal plates, while spinning is being performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, for the apparatus for generating a water electrolytic gas, adjustment of a spinning state and a passing state for the electrolyte is enabled by setting an arrangement interval for the predetermined number of metal plates 14-1 to 14-n, which form the electrolyte spinning and passing portion 14, and the number of electrolyte passage openings and the displacement angle, between the adjacent metal plates, for positioning the electrolyte passage openings.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, for the apparatus for generating a water electrolytic gas, the individual predetermined number of metal plates 14-1 to 14-n are not electrically connected to the anode plate 12 or the cathode plate 13, or to another portion or each other. Instead, the metal plate group 14 is securely supported by a plastic cylindrical insulating member 17.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus for generating a water electrolytic gas further comprises:

an electrolyte forced cooling unit 30, for forcibly cooling the electrolyte that remains in the separation cell 20,

wherein it is possible to adjust, within a predetermined range, a temperature and an amount of the electrolyte that is to be forcibly circulated, by the electrolyte circulation unit 40, to the electrolytic cell 10. In this case, the electrolyte circulation unit 40 performs the forced circulation of the electrolyte between the separation cell 20 and the electrolyte forced cooling unit 30, and for the electrolyte between the separation cell 20 and the electrolytic cell 10.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, for the apparatus for generating a water electrolytic gas, the electrolyte forced cooling unit 30 separately includes an electrolyte circulation pump 31, for circulating the electrolyte that remains in the separation cell 20, and for cooling the electrolyte to a predetermined temperature. In this case, the electrolyte circulation pump 31, separately provided for the electrolyte forced cooling unit 30, is responsible for the forced cooling of the electrolyte between the separation cell 20 and the electrolyte forced cooling unit 30.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, for the apparatus for generating a water electrolytic gas, the electrolyte circulation unit 40 forcibly circulates, to the electrolytic cell 10, the residual electrolyte, in the separation cell 20, that has been cooled to a predetermined temperature by the electrolyte forced cooling unit 30. In this case, the electrolyte circulation pump 40 is responsible for the forced circulation, between the separation cell 20 and the electrolytic cell 10, of the electrolyte that has been cooled by the electrolyte forced cooling unit 30.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, for the apparatus for generating a water electrolytic gas, a temperature of 5° C. to 30° C., or preferably, about 10° C. to 25° C., is appropriate for the electrolyte that is to be forcibly circulated to the electrolytic cell 10.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, for the apparatus for generating a water electrolytic gas, as shown in FIG. 4, a discharge portion 21 p, formed of a porous material, is projected from the bottom of the separation cell 20, so that the mixture that includes the electrolyte and the water electrolytic gas can be introduced from the electrolytic cell 10 and injected into the separation cell 20.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

According to the apparatus of the invention that generates a water electrolytic gas, potassium hydroxide (KOH), which is an alkali electrolyte, and water are introduced into an electrolytic cell, and a direct-current voltage is applied between the anode plate, arranged inside, near the bottom of the electrolytic cell, and the cathode plate, arranged near the top thereof, in accordance with the polarities of these electrodes. As a result, the potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte and water are raised, in the electrolytic cell, while being spun between the anode plate, located near the bottom, and the cathode, located near the top. During this process, electrolysis progresses, while the reaction for the generation of the water electrolytic gas continues to develop and the amount of the electrolytic gas is gradually increased in a state wherein the gas is contained in the electrolyte.

When electrons collide with a metal plate, arranged between the anode plate and the cathode plate, that serves as a member of the electrolyte spinning and passing portion, oxonium ions (H₃O⁺) are generated by the collisions and are moved to the cathode side, and anions (OH⁻) are also so generated and are moved to the anode side. And when multiple metal plates have been so arranged, a large quantity of water electrolytic gas can be generated in the electrolytic cell. Thereafter, the mixture of the electrolyte and an increased amount of the thus generated water electrolytic gas is extracted via the outlet formed in the upper end of the electrolytic cell. It should be noted that basically the sizes of the anode and cathode plates and the magnitude of a current that flows to them are employed to determine the water electrolytic gas amounts that are to be generated.

The thus extracted mixture of the electrolyte and the water electrolytic gas is carried through a connecting pipe to the separation cell, in which gas-liquid separation is thereafter performed to separate the gas component from the electrolyte. As a result, only the water electrolytic gas is extracted via the lead-out pipe, and is transferred either to a previously prepared storage device or to a gas utilizing device located downstream. The residual electrolyte is recirculated through the electrolytic cell to continue the above described reaction process.

When the temperature of the electrolyte has been raised and is 43° C. or higher, the efficiency of the electrolytic reaction is greatly deteriorated. Therefore, the electrolyte that is heated in association with the chemical reaction should be forcibly cooled, so that the electrolyte in the electrolytic cell is maintained at an appropriate temperature, e.g., 5° C. to 25° C.±3° C., or about 30° C. at the highest. When the temperature control is performed in this manner, the electrolyte temperature is maintained within the optimal range for the ideal chemical reaction speed, and the yield for the generation of the water electrolytic gas can be increased. With this arrangement and the thus controlled reaction, the water electrolytic gas can be generated efficiently.

According to this invention, since the electrolyte circulation device forcibly circulates the electrolyte and the spinning and passing portion passes the electrolyte while spinning it, an excessive temperature rise in the electrolytic cell can be prevented. Thus, the external frame for securely supporting the metal group can be made of a plastic, such as vinyl chloride, and the cost of manufacturing the electrolytic cell can be sharply reduced. Further, since the exterior of the electrolytic cell is covered by an insulating material, electrical leakages can be avoided.

According to the present invention, the mixture of the electrolyte and the water electrolytic gas is generated in the water electrolytic gas generation electrolytic cell and is transferred to the gas/electrolyte separation cell, in which, thereafter, the water electrolytic gas is separated from the electrolyte. When the thus obtained water electrolytic gas is burnt by being mixed with, or by being employed with a fuel such as carbon hydrogen or another carbon content material, the state of the combustion thus obtained will be better than when only the electrolytic gas is used, and the temperature attained during combustion will be higher. As a result, so-called combustion improvement effects are provided such that, compared with when only air (atmospheric gas) is employed, the efficiency with which combustion is performed is increased for liquid petroleum fuels, natural gas (LNG) and LP gas, which are gas fuels, and coal, which is a typical solid fuel. And a saving can be realized in the amount of fuel consumed to obtain a predetermined quantity of heat.

The water electrolytic gas obtained using the electrolysis of water, which is an inexpensive and abundant material, produces combustion improvement effects that can increase the combustion efficiency of carbon hydrogen, which can be a gas, a liquid or a solid, and other carbon content materials. This technique is epoch-making from the viewpoint of the effective use of energy resources. The increase in the combustion efficiency of a carbon compound contributes to a reduction in the consumption of fuel required to generate a predetermined quantity of heat, and accordingly, the amount of air required for combustion is also reduced. Thus, it is anticipated that this technique will be very helpful in greatly reducing in the carbon dioxide content of exhaust gases, and will, therefore, be very effective means for preventing the occurrence of conditions that may further contribute to global warming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example basic arrangement, according to one embodiment of the present invention, for an apparatus for generating a water electrolytic gas;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example structure, according to the embodiment of this invention, for the electrolytic cell of the apparatus for generating a water electrolytic gas;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example structure, according to the embodiment of this invention, for individual circular plates of a metal plate group employed for the electrolytic cell of the apparatus for generating a water electrolytic gas; and

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example structure, according to the embodiment of this invention, for the separation cell of the apparatus for generating a water electrolytic gas.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be specifically described while referring to the accompanying drawings. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, so long as a modification does not depart from the spirit and technical scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement of an apparatus for generating a water electrolytic gas. In this embodiment, as is apparent from FIG. 1, the apparatus for generating a water electrolytic gas includes: an electrolytic cell 10, used for generation of a water electrolytic gas; a separation cell 20, used for an electrolyte/water electrolytic gas; an electrolyte forced cooling device 30; and an electrolyte circulation system 40. It is preferable that a line filter 41, for filtering out impurities, and an electrolyte outlet 42, for removing the electrolyte from the system, also be arranged for the electrolyte circulation system 40 at locations as shown in FIG. 1, or in accordance with the arrangements of other apparatuses of the same type.

As shown in FIG. 2, an electrolyte inlet 11 is formed in the bottom of the electrolytic cell 10. Further, an anode plate 12 is located near the bottom of the electrolytic cell 10, while a cathode plate 13 is located near the top, and a predetermined number of metal plates 14-1 to 14-n are arranged, at predetermined intervals, between the two electrodes to serve as a electrolyte spinning and passing portion. The anode 12 and the cathode 13 can be made of stainless steel 304 or stainless steel 316.

As will be described later, the individual metal plates 14 are not electrically connected to the electrodes 12 and 13 or to other portions, and are securely supported by a cylindrical insulating member formed of an arbitrary type of plastic. The individual metal plates 14-1 to 14-n, which form the metal plate group 14, are not connected to each other either, and are at a potential that corresponds to a potential difference that is consonant with a potential gradient that is inevitably formed from the anode side to the cathode side by the electrolyte layer that fills the area between the anode 12 and the cathode 13. The metal plate group 14 functions to uniformly spin and impel the electrolyte that flows through the area wherein the plates 14 are interposed.

In this invention, since the electrolyte circulation device 40 forcibly circulates the electrolyte, and the metal plate group 14 that serves as a spinning and passing portion spins and impels and causes the electrolyte to flow, a rise of the temperature in the electrolytic cell 10 can be prevented. Therefore, a plastic, such as vinyl chloride, can be employed to form the external frame that securely supports the metal plate group 14, and as a result, the cost of manufacturing the electrolytic cell 10 can be considerably reduced. In addition, since the outside of the electrolytic cell 10 is covered by an insulating member, leakages of currents can be avoided.

It is preferable that the metal plates 14-1 to 14-n be arranged at such an interval that a potential difference of 1.8 [V] is obtained between the individual metal plates 14. Electrolysis of water is performed during a process by which, while spinning, the electrolyte is passed from the anode 12 through the predetermined number of metal plates 14 to the cathode 13. When multiple metal plates 14 have been arranged, a large quantity of water electrolytic gas can be generated in an electrolytic cell 10. The mixture of water electrolytic gas and electrolyte is extracted from an outlet 15 formed in the top.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating example metal plates for the metal plate group 14, formed in a predetermined number, e.g., between around 10 plates and equal to or greater than 100 plates, that are arranged between the anode 12 and the cathode 13 in the electrolytic cell 10, shown in FIG. 2, used for generation of a water electrolytic gas. Metal plates 14 in this embodiment have a circular shape, as shown in FIG. 3; however, a polygonal shape, such as a pentagonal, hexagonal or heptagonal shape, may be employed. Further, in this embodiment, four electrolyte passage openings 18 are formed in each of the circular shaped metal plates 14, at positions which from a center C have point symmetry. Further, since circular metal plates are employed for this embodiment, accordingly, the external frame for securely supporting the metal plate group has a cylindrical shape. However, the shape of the external frame is not limited to the cylindrical, and when the metal plates that are formed have a polygonal shape, such as pentagonal, hexagonal or heptagonal, the external frame can have a polygonal shape consonant with the shape of the metal plates.

The electrolyte passage openings 18, formed in each metal plate 14, are employed to permit the anions, the oxonium ions and the electrolyte to flow from the anion 12 side to the cathode 13 side. During the assembly process for the metal plates 14, they are positioned so that the electrolyte passage openings 18 in each of them are sequentially displaced a set number of degrees, e.g., 15 degrees, as shown in [1] to [6] in FIG. 3. As a result, when a metal plate 14 is arranged at a predetermined interval above the one that is adjacent to the anode 12, the openings 18 therein are displaced 15 degrees counterclockwise. Further, when another metal plate 14 is further overlaid above that metal plate 14, the openings 18 thereof are displaced at the same angle, i.e., 15 degrees. The same process is repeated for a predetermined number of metal plates 14, e.g., an appropriately selected number of from several tens to one hundred and several tens of metal plates 14, until the metal plate group 14 is securely supported by the cylindrical insulating member. It should be noted that the displacement angle of the openings 18 is not limited to 15 degrees.

The direct-current voltage to be applied between the anode 12 and the cathode 13 differs depending on the number of metal plates 14 interposed. However, the appropriate direct-current voltage is set so that a potential difference between the individual metal plates 14 is about 1.8 [V]. At this time, the metal plates 14-1 to 14-n are also arranged so as to gradually displace the openings 18 therein, from the anode 12 side to the cathode 13 side, at a predetermined angle, such as 15 degrees, so that the electrolyte can be passed through in a spiral manner.

When the electrolyte is flowing from the anode 12 toward the cathode 13 through the metal plates 14 that are located so that the openings 18 are gradually displaced at the set angle, the electrolyte is spun and forms an ascending stream along a flow path that is determined by the number of the metal plates 14 arranged and the displacement angle used for the openings 18. As a result, since the electrolyte is flowing while being regularly agitated, the electrolytic reaction is promoted, and it can be anticipated that the yield from the generation of water electrolytic gas will be increased.

It is convenient for about four to six openings 18 be formed in the metal plates 14, because the openings 18 also demonstrate the effects for helping the rise of water electrolytic gas that are generated in accordance with the progress of the electrolytic reaction. Also, an electrolyte support port 16 equipped with a valve is also provided at the upper end of the electrolytic cell 10 in order to supply additional electrolyte. Instead of mounting the electrolyte supply port 16, a branch valve, for example, may be connected to a pipe that is connected to the electrolyte inlet 11 at the lower end of the electrolytic cell 10, so that electrolyte maybe supplied through this branch valve.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example structure for the separation cell 20, shown in FIG. 1, used for the electrolyte/water electrolytic gas. The mixture of the electrolyte and the water electrolytic gas, extracted from the electrolytic cell 10, is introduced through a lead-in channel 21 formed in the bottom. At this time, a discharge portion 21 p, in which multiple tiny holes are formed, or that is made of a porous material, is projected inward from the bottom of the separation cell 20, and is used for injecting, into the separation cell 20, the mixture of the electrolyte and the water electrolytic gas.

When the electrolyte is passed through the discharge portion 21 p in which tiny holes are formed, or is made of a porous material, the resistance of the gas component differs from the resistance of the electrolyte, dispersion of the gas component is accelerated, and a satisfactory gas-liquid separation is obtained. The gas component of the water electrolytic gas, obtained in the gas-liquid separation process, is transferred via a pipe 26 from a gas extraction port 24, located at the upper end of the separation cell 20, and is supplied to a gas utilizing facility (not shown). As a result of the gas-liquid separation, the electrolyte remains in the separation cell 20.

The residual electrolyte in the separation cell 20 is removed through an electrolyte outlet 22 formed in the bottom of the separation cell 20, and one part of the electrolyte is transferred to the electrolyte forced cooling device 30, which cools the electrolyte to an appropriate temperature, and returns the electrolyte to the separation cell 20 through a cooled electrolyte inlet 23 formed in the bottom. In this case, it is preferable that the temperature of the electrolyte in the electrolytic cell 10 be about 18° C. to 25° C., while taking the external temperature and the yield of the generated gas into account. It is also preferable that the operating temperature be maintained within the above described range, for an electrolytic reaction becomes unstable when the temperature is too low, and the electrolytic reaction efficiency is reduced when the temperature is too high.

The remainder of the electrolyte that was not transferred by the electrolyte forced cooling device 30 is again supplied, via the electrolyte circulation device 40 and the line filter 41, to the electrolytic cell 10. In this case, it is preferable that a ratio of the electrolyte to be transferred to the electrolyte forced cooling device 30 and the amount of the electrolyte to be returned directly to the electrolytic cell 10 be adjusted to their optimal values by using an appropriate controller, while taking into account the operating environment, such as the external temperature, the temperature of the electrolyte and the operating period. This operation is applied for a case, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein an electrolyte outlet is formed in the bottom of the separation cell 20 and the pipe is branched into a transfer channel for the electrolyte forced cooling device 30 and a circulation channel for the electrolytic cell 10.

As shown in the structure in FIG. 4, another electrolyte outlet 27 may be formed in the bottom of the separation cell 20 to circulate the electrolyte. According to this structure, the electrolyte that remains in the separation cell 20 and that has been cooled to an appropriate temperature is extracted through the electrolyte outlet 27, and is returned by the electrolyte circulation device 40, via the line filter 41, to the electrolytic cell 10. On the other hand, the electrolyte discharged from the outlet 22 is returned, by a separately provided circulation pump 31, from the electrolyte forced cooling device 30, to the separation cell 20, via the cooled electrolyte inlet 23.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, a water electrolytic gas generated by the apparatus of this invention for generating a water electrolytic gas, can provide so-called combustion improvement effects, i.e., when an adequate amount of this mixture is added to a liquid, gas, or solid fuel that is a carbon content compound, a stronger combustion can be obtained at a higher temperature than by using the oxygen normally present in the air.

Further, a water electrolytic gas generated by the apparatus of this invention is added to and burned with LP gas, a larger fire is obtained with smaller fuel consumption than that required for a conventional combustion burner, and greater heat can be generated at a higher temperature.

Further, this water electrolytic gas can be employed not only for a burning device, such as a gas burner for burning fuel, but also for an internal combustion engine or a jet engine wherein a liquid or gas fuel is burned explosively in a closed space, and a boiler for power generation or another type of large boiler that employs a liquid, gas or solid fuel. In this case, when a water electrolytic gas is additionally supplied or injected into a combustion chamber, for example, it is anticipated that a stronger output will be obtained. That is, a greater thermal energy output will be obtained using a considerably smaller amount of fuel than is used conventionally, and a remarkable improvement in fuel efficiency can be expected. Thus, a quantity of fuel can be saved, and great energy saving effects obtained. Accordingly, the amount of carbon dioxide in exhaust gases will be considerably reduced, and this will have a large effect as a global warming prevention measure.

Various other modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated that are within the scope of the following claims that in particular point out and distinctly describe the subject matter regarded as the invention. 

1. A water electrolytic gas generation apparatus, for generating a water electrolytic gas, comprising: an electrolytic cell, for generation of a water electrolytic gas, including an electrolyte inlet formed in a bottom wall, an outlet, formed in a top wall to extract a mixture of an electrolyte and a generated gas, an anode plate, internally arranged near the bottom wall, a cathode plate, internally arranged near a top wall, and an electrolyte spinning and passing portion, for spinning and passing an alkali electrolyte in a direction leading from the anode plate to the cathode plate; a separation cell, for an electrolyte/water electrolytic gas, in which gas-liquid separation is performed for the mixture that has been extracted from the outlet in the upper end of the electrolytic cell and the mixture that includes the electrolyte and a water electrolytic gas, and as a result, gas components comprising the water electrolytic gas are separated from the electrolyte, so that only the gas components are externally extracted, while an electrolyte component is retained, internally; and an electrolyte circulation unit, for circulating, toward the electrolytic cell, the electrolyte that has been retained in the separation cell.
 2. The water electrolytic gas generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrolyte spinning and passing portion, which is located between the anode plate and the cathode plate in the electrolytic cell is formed of a predetermined number of metal plates 14-1 to 14-n, in each of which two to six electrolyte passage openings are formed along the outer circumference, with point symmetry from the center; and wherein the metal plates are arranged by sequentially displacing the electrolyte passage openings at a predetermined angle, so that the electrolyte is passed through the metal plates, while spinning is being performed.
 3. The water electrolytic gas generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein adjustment of a spinning state and a passing state for the electrolyte is enabled by setting an arrangement interval for the predetermined number of metal plates 14-1 to 14-n, which form the electrolyte spinning and passing portion, and the number of electrolyte passage openings and the displacement angle, between the adjacent metal plates, for positioning the electrolyte passage openings.
 4. The water electrolytic gas generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the individual predetermined number of metal plates 14-1 to 14-n are not electrically connected to the anode plate or the cathode plate, or to another portion or each other; and wherein a group consisting of the metal plates is securely supported by a plastic cylindrical insulating member.
 5. The water electrolytic gas generation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an electrolyte forced cooling unit, for forcibly cooling the electrolyte that remains in the separation cell, wherein it is possible to adjust, within a predetermined range, a temperature and an amount of the electrolyte that is to be forcibly circulated, by the electrolyte circulation unit, in the electrolytic cell.
 6. The water electrolytic gas generation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the electrolyte forced cooling unit separately includes an electrolyte circulation pump, for circulating the electrolyte that remains in the separation cell, and for cooling the electrolyte to a predetermined temperature.
 7. The water electrolytic gas generation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the electrolyte circulation unit forcibly circulates, to the electrolytic cell, the residual electrolyte, in the separation cell, that has been cooled to a predetermined temperature by the electrolyte forced cooling unit.
 8. The water electrolytic gas generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a temperature of 5° C. to 30° C. is appropriate for the electrolyte that is to be forcibly circulated to the electrolytic cell.
 9. The water electrolytic gas generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a discharge portion, formed of a porous material, is projected from a bottom of the separation cell, so that the mixture that includes the electrolyte and the electrolytic gas can be introduced from the electrolytic cell and injected into the separation cell. 